The Price of an Idea

An interesting notion on how to put a monetary value of an idea by Derek Sivers

It’s so funny when I hear people being so protective of ideas. (People who want me to sign an NDA to tell me the simplest idea.)

To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.

Explanation:

AWFUL IDEA = $-1

WEAK IDEA = $1

SO-SO IDEA = $5

GOOD IDEA = $10

GREAT IDEA = $15

BRILLIANT IDEA = $20

NO EXECUTION = $1

WEAK EXECUTION = $1000

SO-SO- EXECUTION = $10,000

GOOD EXECUTION = $100,000

GREAT EXECUTION = $1,000,000

BRILLIANT EXECUTION = $10,000,000

To make a business, you need to multiply the two.

The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20. The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000. That’s why I don’t want to hear people’s ideas. I am not interested until I see their execution.